PNR Picks

The following are PNR books that I've enjoyed. However, I don't necessarily recommend every book within each of these series. I have to say that quite a few PNR series get a little repetitive and tiresome, as the series progresses. Not exactly in any order, I've (*) next to each of the series I recommend as a whole, at least for the most part.

Wallbanger(Single Title)
A hilarious, sexy, addictive, up all night read. Yes, I found yet another one, and it wasn't at all what I expected either. With its Erotica classification and descriptive cover, I figured I was in for yet another mundane erotica read. What I got was a laugh-out-load, sexually charged Chic-Lit read that I couldn't get enough of. Let's just say it's more akin to Bridget Jones, not Fifty Shades, which is a good thing.

*******

Caroline has a fantastic new apartment in San Fran. She has a flourishing design career, an office overlooking the bay, a killer zucchini bread recipe, and no O. She has Clive (the best cat ever), great friends, a great rack, and no O. Adding insult to O-less, since her move, she has an oversexed neighbor with the loudest late-night wallbanging she's ever heard. Each moan, spank, and--was that a meow?--punctuates the fact that not only is she losing sleep, she still has, yep, you guessed it, no O.

On Dublin Street
In one word-Hot. Okay, maybe two words-Hot & Sizzle. The couple in this book made the pages sizzle, and then some. I can't really categorize this book as a Romance, Chic-lit, or even Erotica, due to its style and various subject matter. The main character is a troubled girl, but seems pretty mature for her age. Sparks ignite when she meets a charming and very hot man on her way to finding a new flat. This one has it all, heartbreak, love, and sizzle dizzle. Lots of sexy times, but also a lot of heartfelt feelings from this emotionally crippled young woman. There were a couple of lulls at the beginning, but it quickly gets going and turns up a notch once the couple is in full swing. The banter and sexual chemistry from this couple alone make it worth the read, even with all the angst and mistakes I found throughout.

Now on my list of all time favorite couples, right next to Cat & Bones. I look forward to more.

Alexandra Jones
This is one of those series that just gets better and more intriguing as you move forward. I liked the first, but loved the 2nd and can't wait for more.
**************
Walking home after a night out drowning her sorrows with her best friend, Carrie, Alexandra Jones stupidly takes a phone call from her cheating ex-boyfriend, Eddie, and in her anger hurls her phone into the forest before her.

But when Alex goes to retrieve her phone from the undergrowth, she and Carrie come face-to-face with a monster they never even knew existed.

Just Breathe*
If you like whales...actually even if you don't especially like them, I would recommend this series. Okay, the first book in the series starts off more of a romance with some animal storyline, thrown in for good measure. An exciting ending and the promise for a continued/resolved romance subplot had me quickly signing up for book 2. That's when I knew this one was a keeper.

The Road To Hell
What happens when your son turns homicidal overnight and your husband disappears on his way to work? Do you cower in fear or fight for your life? Madison Wescott fights against the odds. Distrustful of a God she doesn’t believe in, she finds herself face-to-face with a world she didn’t know existed and discovers her own soul is darkened with demonic connections.
.5-Madison's Life Lessons
1-Pandora's Box
2-Hell's Phoenix
3-Genesis Queen

The Kings
Thirteen supernatural kings break through a vast loneliness to find their mate, after a female Were shatters long felt curse that seems to plague every supernatural being. Each story focuses on a king, their realm, and the mate they are destined to discover. The writing is pretty decent and the world building is very good, if a bit confusing and long-winded. Still, the romantic tension and interesting storyline make this a worthwhile read.

The Ash Trilogy*
An extremely well played out who-done-it. This had one of the best mix of mystery, thrilling-tense drama, and romance I've ever read. I can't say the mystery is all that unpredictable, but the drama surrounding it was definitely enjoyable throughout. Even with the early prediction, the ending turned out to be even more twisted and tense filled than I could have anticipated.

*****

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood-she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard-and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can't escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman's screams, his instincts tell him that Lena's life is also at risk-and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

The Dark Duet*
Altogether too short, but incredibly and surprisingly very good. I'm not an Erotica fan by any stretch, but I did enjoy this book. Well written and captivating, I couldn't help but read this in just one sitting. I was oddly entranced by both main character's stories, and their shared pain, depravity, and strong will for survival. The author also somehow managed to create a redeemable and empathetic character that willing inflects pain & humiliation on others, just as others have inflicted on him.

"This isn't a romance. You're not a damsel in distress and I'm not the handsome prince come to save you." No. He wasn't. In real life you had to save yourself.

Caleb is a man that's spent half of his life in the pursuit of revenge. Revenge against what others have done to him, and what others did to his rescuer's family. In escaping the depravity of his early years, he slowly becomes the monster that he once hated. In order to enact the final stages of his revenge, he sets out on snaring a unwilling victim to train as a submissive, in order sell her as a sex slave to the man he has long dreamt of destroying. The only issue is that his surprisingly strong-willed and complicated captive might be a bit more than his experienced hands can handle.

Warning: For Mature audiences only. This most definitely isn't for everyone. Lots of sexual charged scenes, but only one with the full act. There is also violence, murder, Sodomy, and rape flashbacks, but nothing as far as cruelty or complete forceable sex by the captor-Caleb.

Jolie Wilkins
This one isn't as silly as the covers would lead you to believe. A very well written & engaging series about a self-deprecating witch with the unique ability to reanimate the dead. A dangerously handsome warlock torn between being her boss and her would-be lover. Let the games begin.

Valerie Dearborn*The first book in the series is a twist on the very overdone subject of Vampires. But don't let that deter you from checking out this very engaging and fast read. A little more UF than PNR, but there are still plenty of hot scenes to take in. The 2nd book was even better than the first, and was entirely too hot for words.

*******

Valerie Dearborn wants a cotton candy life, but it’s more like a puffer fish: pointy, unusual, and—if not prepared exactly right—deadly. In London for graduate school, Val knows she's finally free. Her father and ex-almost-boyfriend are back in California and she's out of the Vampire hunting biz for good. Or is she?

She draws the attention of Lucas, a 1600 year old Vampire, and King to his kind. He’s also wicked hot. As golden as Lucifer, and just as tempting, he makes Val an offer she can't refuse— help him find out if the Others (Empaths, Fey and Werewolves) still exist or he'll stop protecting those she loves.

Darkest London* A thoroughly engaging and satisfying book (Firelight), that is part paranormal romance & intrigue and part fairy tale. Being a big fan of contemporary fantasy, I didn't think this Victorian Paranormal would hook me, but with its rich & vivid descriptions, romantic build, and intriguing plot, I fell for it hook line and sinker. The author truly has a talent for building sexual tension to a boiling point. The relationship between the main couple is white hot, and are definitely now on my list of favorite literary couples.

*****

Written in third person POV and set in Victorian London, Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman. Warning: Violence & Strong Sexual Content.

The Dom of my Dreams(Single Title)
It was a bit uncomfortable to read at the beginning, and it left me wondering where it was going or if it was even a romance at all, and not some sadistic tale. I have to say, It turned out rather good and very satisfying. A better book than the Fifty Shades series, and it does it all with just one book.

Marjorie Fordham is just itching to sign up the hottest author in the world into her quaint little publishing house. Well, she’s also itching for other things, to be honest. So what if she finds the author attractive? And so what if he makes an offer she cannot refuse? So what if she accepts? And so what if David J. Seton is everything she has ever wanted in a man? He is a Dominant male with some ulterior motives up his sleeve, something that both terrifies and excites our feisty, independent, love-is-for-needy-chicks-and-not-for-me heroine. She has entered a world of Domination and submission, one she cannot free herself from, no matter how hard she tries to fight it.

Moon Shifter
This is straight-up Shifter PNR, which is really not even my thing. However, I do have to say this is one of the best books in that category that I've read. Well executed and very easy to read, I enjoyed this book through and through. There is plenty of action, story-telling, mystery, and romance.

*****

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before—and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

Blood Moon Rising
Pretty decent Shifter PNR. This one is one about cursed Lycan brothers, torn apart by a blood law and a sibling feud. In order to break the curse and provide payment for killing his brother's mate, Rafael must give up his chosen. And in so doing, sentence his true love and an innocent to death.

Harrison's debut book, Dragon bound, took me fully by surprise. This magical world of dragons, fae, & witches is thoroughly engaging, funny, and addictive. It also helps that the main couple's relationship is completely hot and endearing. Don't let the cover fool you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill flat PNR. So, big recommendation for the 1st book, and not so sure about the rest.

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful-and passionate-of the Elder races.

A great mix of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Adventure and Romance. Great plot construction and character ARC. The romance itself was endearing & hot, and didn't feel rushed in anyway like with most romances. This recommendation is just for the first book, not sure about the 2nd.

After being enslaved on the spaceship for most of her life, Analia has no memory of her life before, and has lost all knowledge of her people. Her mysterious gift and pointed ears are the only indication that she is different. By chance Analia escapes her captors, and hides herself on a merchant ship. When Analia is found by a handsome demon and captain, she must adapt to her new role on the ship, and try to control her newly awakened desire for the brutal, and devastatingly erotic demon.

Dragon Wars
Just like all of MacLeod's other books, this one is well written, very engaging, and imaginative, if just a bit on the short side. A Non-stop action and romance tale about a post-apocalyptic world ravaged to ruin by raging Dragons. 25 years of war brings their world to a place of devastation and hopelessness. That is, until a long lost warrior emerges and helps to level the playing field for those fighting on the side of good.

Excellent worldbuilding and a good mix of PNR, Fantasy, and UF. This one is a little different than most Dystopian books I've read as of late, which is always a good thing. The only thing I can complain about is its length. Longer than most Novellas, but definitely shorter than most books. Frustratingly enough, the book stops a bit abruptly, and we are left with a looming cliffhanger. Still, I recommend this extremely fast and entertaining read, that will sure to interest PNR and UF readers alike.

I'm unsure whether to classify these books under Fantasy Romance or PNR. But I either way, this is one very good story and one of the best romances I've read. A very fast-engaging read, and a must for any PNR lover.

The first three books follow Xylara, daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders. Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara's conscience won't let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. The 2nd & 4th book were a bit on the weak side, but enjoyable nonetheless. The fourth book is set within the same world, but focuses on supporting characters from the trilogy.

This is one of the better self-published ebooks I've read. An engaging mix between Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, & a little Steam Punk. Encrypted is a standalone book, but it's also an introduction into the world that is later expanded upon. The book is written well & I found the plot to be fresh, but I do have to mention that parts of the beginning seemed a bit sluggish at times. The thriller-science mystery turned out to be very interesting, once I got into it, and the romance was endearing-and did not feel rushed. I was also impressed with the minimal amount of mistakes found in this self-published book.

***

Professor Tikaya Komitopis isn’t a great beauty, a fearless warrior, or even someone who can walk and chew chicle at the same time, but her cryptography skills earn her wartime notoriety. When enemy marines show up at her family’s plantation, she expects the worst. But they’re not there to kill her. They need her to decode mysterious runes, and they ask for help in the manner typical of a conquering empire: they kidnap her, threaten her family, and throw her in the brig of their fastest steamship.

Her only ally is a fellow prisoner who charms her with a passion for academics as great as her own. Together, they must decipher mind-altering alchemical artifacts, deadly poison rockets, and malevolent technological constructs, all while dodging assassination attempts from a rival power determined the expedition should fail.

Deadwood*

These are light, cleaver, & quick paramystery reads. Great romantic tension is the main draw here, not the actual mystery itself, which I found mostly predictable and unoriginal.

***

Little girls are vanishing from Deadwood, South Dakota. Violet Parker, single mom & Realtor, has a daughter that could be next. Short on time and long on worry, she's desperate to find the monster behind the abductions. But with her jerkoff co-worker trying to get her fired, a secret admirer sending creepy love poems, and a sexy-as-hell stranger hiding skeletons in his closet, Violet just might end up as one of Deadwood's dearly departed.

Yet another example, why I shouldn't judge a book by its cover or title. I have to admit, this series is better than most its type. The plot and world-building iss much more thoughtful and the story itself, kept me engaged throughout. Yes, there is quite a few sexual scenes, but they don't seem to be completely random or pointless. So, if you can get past the sex and a bit of scene jumping, this is a rather good read; at least the 1st & 4th book are. The last book, Sin Undone, barely past muster IMO.

Tayla's life has never been easy, with her drug addicted mother and a dead-beat father she never knew. Until a group of demon-slayers took her in, she's never known what a family was. That is until, a fateful trip to a hospital, run by Demons, brings her world crashing down.

If you liked the Demonica series, you will probably like this spinoff. Ione expands her Demonica world to include the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The beginning of this series coincides with the last book of the Deominca series, so I encourage reading them in order, even though it's not a prerequisite. Demonica series fans will be delighted to see their favorite characters return in this new series.

Previously, Sin inadvertently catapulted the beginning of the apocalypse, after she breaks the first Horseman's seal, by causing a were plague. Now, the three remaining Horsemen will have to take-on their brother & protect their remaining seals, or they fall to the forces of evil, along with the world. The first book focuses on Ares, the 2nd Horseman, and his fight to keep his seal & heart intact, along with the world.

These are decent PNR vampire books, with little originality but good world-building and couple dynamics. This one is about three vampire brothers, linked by their father-a ravenous breeding vampire male. Each story focuses on a different brother, facing their transition and finding their mates.

Jane Jameson*
A witty story, following a librarian who accidentally becomes a vampire in her small hometown. I kept passing up this series, due to the covers, but I have to say this is one of the wittier UF PNR series I've read. The 1st & 3rd book are the strongest IMO. A lot of laugh-out loud moments.

Mo is a southern girl born & breed, & is loved by her eccentric but good intentioned communal hippie parents. She decides to make a big move to a little Alaska town, after a breakup with her fiancée. Not thought provoking, but a very witty & enjoyable read. The next book follows the male protagonist's sister and a handsome visitor. Unfortunately, I didn't find the 2nd as good as the 1st.

Once, one of my favorite series of the genre. Frost really knows how to steam up the pages w/ this sexy couple. Unfortunately, this series has been on a steady decline since the release of its spin-offs. Of the two spin-offs, Eternal Kiss of Darkness wasn't half bad.

FallenReminiscent of Ward's BDB series. This well written & engaging PNR series is about a group of fallen angels at war, and are cursed with the task of ferrying souls to their next life. Raziel finds himself in-trouble when a antagonistic woman refuses to cross over. I recommend skipping Book #2.

Immortal Guardians
Beef-cake cover aside, this was a pretty decent PNR book. An engaging & fast read, this isn't your typical empty PNR book. However, I found the love story a bit on the sappy side & unnaturally hastened, just like most romances that focus on one couple per book. And yes, this is another Vampire book, but not exactly your typical. A little more intrigue, plot, & World-Building than most of its type. 2nd book was good as well.

"Once, Sarah Bingham's biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she's handed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on."1-Darkness Dawns2-Night Reigns3-Phantom Shadows

Guild Hunter*

Angels, Vampires, and a whole lotta romance. This is one fun and steamy ride. First book feels a bit of a formulaic romance novel, but definitely gets my approval by the end. The 2nd book is my favorite, the third book left more to be desired, and the 4th brought it back on track.

A fairly good high fantasy story revolving an ancient prophecy--the arrival of a new Queen, a Witch who will wield more power than even the High Lord of Hell himself. But this new ruler is young, and very susceptible to influence and corruption; whoever controls her controls the Darkness. And now, three sworn enemies begin a ruthless game of politics and intrigue, magic and betrayal, and the destiny of an entire world is at stake.

The first three books provide the backdrop to the main story, and the rest should be considered supplements to the original trilogy. The first book felt disjointed & was tough to read, but becomes easier as the plot & characters are established.

Chicagoland
Great Vamp series, about Merit, who incidentally becomes a vampire, and her hot sire. This is a mystery series that also revolves around one of my favorite couples, but the series seems to have gone a different direction after the 4th.

Dark SwanA little more fantasy than UF, this sexy and imaginative series will leave you wanting more, however with a weak series ending, i'm a bit on the fence on whether to enthusiastically recommend this one now.

Fever*
I wouldn't necessarily label this series a PNR, but there is definitely a romance/HEA factor. One of the most intriguing series I've read. The conclusion doesn't disappoint either. A surprisingly very good & obsession worthy series, that may require a couple reads to fully unravel the mystery behind this cool series. When Mac, an ordinary young woman, travels to Ireland to track down her sister's murderer, she is sucked into an extraordinary world filled with ancient secrets, vampires, assorted Fae nasties and other tough-to-kill beings. In the process, Mac learns of her own unusual talents and finds an unlikely mentor in the wealthy and mysterious Jericho Barrons.

Jane True
A humorous & sexy series that continues to keep me engaged & giggling to the very end. This is a story about a small town girl who finds out her love of water & MIA mom isn't quite normal. Not exactly PNR, but there is definitely a romance factor.

Tairen Soul
One of the only Fantasy heavy plots I've read. It revolves around a Shapshifter Fae King that loses his mate during a Mage War a 1000yrs ago, and is now trying to save his race from extinction. Don't miss this epic Lord of the Rings like drama. Warning, the fourth book was a bit of a long & tedious read due to bad editing.

A surprisingly well written & descriptive witty series about Aisling, a courier from Seattle who travels to Paris to deliver a demonic artifact. She unwittingly becomes embroiled in a mystery when she discovers a dead body. A light & easy light, however-as the series progresses, the writing becomes more repetitive & the protagonist grates on my nerves. I couldn't finish the 4th book for this reason.

Glory St. Clair
Witty & well written Chick-lit that follows Glory, a voluptuous & independent vamp her yummy Scottish sire. Lots of mystery & sexy scenes to delve into. A good light chick-lit series that gets a bit repeatitive as it goes on.

Stormwalker
An action packed, mystery/fantasy filled, sexy series that follows Janet, an Elemental, and her long time enigmatic lover. Never a dull moment, with a lot going on between the pages. A joy to read, without feeling too convoluted or contrived. The First book is so far the best of the two released.

Almost Human*
A vamp series that has a lot going for itself. Four books in and I'm a big fan. College student Felicity finds out vampires walk among them; some of which are quite cute. One of the few PNR series that gets better and more intriguing with each book.

Vampires in America*One of the most Powerful Vampires in N.America enlists a tough & beautiful PI to help find his kidnapped ward. Yes, yet another vampire book. Okay, not much originality here but good writing, intrigue, and a lot of chemistry makes this series a really good read. The first two books contain the same main couple and plot flow. I recommend skipping book #3. The fourth book has the same 1st MC, and a new one is introduced.

Dark Magick*
A PNR driven Fae plot, that is a romantic & intriguing light weekend read. A consistent series, that does decent work of world building throughout. I especially liked the third book, and can definitely see a imminent resolve building.

Broken Heart, Oklahoma
A humorous tale about the accidental turning of a town of single parents. Each story focuses on a different couple. Book #1 is worth the read, the rest seem a bit repetitive and not worth the effort.

The Chaos Dragon
A somewhat fresh story, that is both dark & romantic. Enter the world of dark fantasy in Book One of this intriguing thriller. Meet johnny: a magical, time-bending, vampire-like being who wreaks chaos on earth. Bored from lack of challenge, johnny decides to be the guardian devil of a naive embodied angel, Jenséa,who has no clue that she is anything more than human.

Dulcie O'Neil
I adore this author, but I have to say that this series is not as good as her Jolie Wilkins series. Both books were enjoyable reads, but are not on the same level as her other series, and seem to be utterly forgettable IMHO.

Dulcie is a fairy, but not the type to frolic in gardens. She’s a Regulator—a law-enforcement agent who monitors the creatures of the Netherworld to keep them from wreaking havoc in the mortal world. When a warlock is murdered and Dulcie was the last person to see him alive, she must uncover the truth before she’s either deported back to the Netherworld, or she becomes the next victim.

Immortality Bites
An unoriginal story about a mouthy girl who is turned into a vamp by a blind date from hell; and is now having to rely on a brooding Master Vampire. This is still a good read, if you can look past the dripping sarcasm and depressive men. Lots of romance, but no sex is described.

Thoroughly addictive. Sylvan's powerful debut is packed with startling action, sensual romance, and delightfully nerdy vampires. An empathic gift is slowly killing Austin musician Miranda Grey, who uses her talents to influence her audience. After a fateful event that leaves Miranda traumatized, she is taken in by David Solomon, the steely but quirky leader of the South's vampires. As David teaches Miranda to control her abilities and the two grow closer, a vampire civil war looms.

Judging by the Shadowflame reviews, this authors has shifted the series's direction. I may not bother reading book #2, since it will probably mar the experience I had with book #1. It may be best to treat book #1 as a standalone.

A thoroughly engaging book with a fresh take on a tired genre, makes for a great read. Morgan Bailey, is a bounty hunter, who prowls the dark underworld of Portland, Or hunting creatures of the night. Morgan’s never met a vampire she couldn't dust or a demon she couldn't kill until she's hired to destroy a new kind of mystical threat: the Sunwalker. More than just the run of the mill vamp story, this book is a good cheap read worth checking out. The first book is the best of bunch. The 2nd book was just okay, and the third book, if it can be called that, left me disinterested in the series. The magic that made the first book decent, seems to be missing in the followups. Still a good read but I have to warn potential readers of a possible disappointment.1-Kissed By Darkness

-Currently Reading-

I was pretty excited to read this latest spinoff, especially with its enthusiastic start that featured carnies and a sassy girl who can both electrify and glean information with her right hand. I also liked the chemistry right from the ...

An extremely well played out who-done-it overall. I give the romance in these books a solid B+ and the mystery an A-, even though I guessed who the killer was about halfway through the first book. Even with the early prediction, the en...

This whole series has been a surprise. I've enjoyed each book, and I can say safely say that these books are truly addictive. I enjoyed this book, but I don't think I liked it as much as the first. However, with entirely no wasted spac...

4 1/2 stars
This book is quite a departure from my usual reads. Thanks Heather for suggesting it. I couldn't quite tear myself away from it until I reached the very end. This had one of the best mix of mystery, thrilling-tense drama,...

An impressionable young lady with little to no self-worth, and a sadistic and selfish man, who is 10yrs her senior, is the perfect setup for a bit of heartbreak.
Marcie has been in love with her uncle Ben, a friend of the family and c...